The Crazy One – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Crazy One

Stephen Gates

Arts

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/24d. Total Eps: 152

The Crazy One is an award-winning podcast for creatives, leaders, and anyone who refuses to settle. Hosted by renowned designer and global design leader Stephen Gates, this show delivers unfiltered honesty, actionable insights, and hard-won wisdom to help you grow your creativity, lead with confidence, and build a meaningful career.

With over two decades leading world-class design teams at companies like InVision, Citi, Starwood Hotels, WW, and McCann Erickson, Stephen has built brands and digital experiences for clients including Disney, American Airlines, W Hotels, Verizon, Acura, and more — work that’s earned over 150 international awards and has been featured by Apple in 10 keynotes, 4 commercials, and the Human Interface Guidelines.

Now as the founder of CRZY, an independent strategy and design studio, he’s helping companies find bold new visions for their brands, experiences, and creative futures. Through The Crazy One, he shares everything he’s learned along the way — from integrating behavioral science with human-centered design to navigating imposter syndrome to building a career and creative life on your own terms.

With over 100 episodes and a loyal global audience, The Crazy One has been named:

• Webby Award Honoree for Best Technology Podcast

• #1 Podcast by Inside Design, HOW Design Live, and Springboard

• 5-star rated across every iTunes Store worldwide

This is more than a design podcast. It’s a wake-up call. A masterclass. A real-talk guide for finding your voice, owning your crazy, and changing the game.

No BS. No buzzwords. Just real insights from someone who’s been there.

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https://thecrazy1.com/
600 shares
http://crzydesign.com/
598 shares
https://www.buzzsprout.com/539050/fan_mail/new
152 shares

https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
598 shares
http://www.thecrazy1.com/youtube
2 shares

https://www.instagram.com/sdgates
311 shares

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 79%

Publication history

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Ep 142 AI: The hidden cost of plausible, almost-right work

Episode 142

mercredi 15 avril 2026 • Duration 20:40

AI and cheap tools have given everyone the ability to produce work that looks professional, sounds credible, and feels like the real thing. The problem? It isn't. In this episode, Stephen introduces the term Plausible Noise — the growing layer of almost-right work that's quietly eroding quality standards, collapsing accountability, and making it harder than ever to defend the value of real expertise. He breaks down how it's breaking organizations, why experts are partly to blame, and what you can actually do about it.

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SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/

WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates

WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/

FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Ep 141 Design: A bigger strategy behind Apple’s Liquid Glass?

Episode 141

mercredi 18 juin 2025 • Duration 14:12

Stephen finally breaks the seal on AI — not with a prompt tutorial or workflow breakdown (he’s got a YouTube video for that), but with a deeper dive into the real conversation: how AI is shaking the creative industry to its core.

From WWDC buzz to Liquid Glass backlash, this one’s not about UI drama — it’s about system strategy. Stephen unpacks Apple’s latest moves through a deeper lens: unified design, AI readiness, and what it really takes to build future-proof experiences. Because this moment isn’t just about skeuomorphism making a comeback. It’s about Apple quietly setting the stage for a smarter, more integrated creative ecosystem — and what that signals for the rest of us.

Why design decisions at Apple are never just about design
The real story behind Liquid Glass (and why most people missed it)
How systems thinking reveals the future of AI integration
What creative leaders can learn from Apple’s long game

This one might age like milk — or prove prophetic. Either way, it’s a must-listen.

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Ep 132 Career: Navigating the Mess: Insights into the 2024 Job Market

Episode 132

jeudi 7 novembre 2024 • Duration 15:23

Let’s be honest—this industry is a mess right now. Layoffs are everywhere, leadership roles are disappearing, and even the best of the best are struggling to get a callback. In this episode, Stephen Gates tackles one of the most asked (and most urgent) questions from mentoring sessions: What’s really going on with the creative job market—and how do we survive it? No sugarcoating. No fake optimism. Just real talk on what’s broken, what’s changing, and how to move forward when the ground keeps shifting.

Stephen breaks down the hard truths behind today’s hiring chaos, including:

Why this isn’t just “ageism”—it’s experience-ism
The real reason design leadership is losing ground
How authenticity is your most underrated asset
The dangerous myth of the magic shortcut
Why you need a Plan A, B, C (and maybe D)
How to ask for help the right way—and actually get it

It’s brutal out there. But there’s power in being real, staying specific, and building something that’s actually yours.

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Ep 47 Creativity: Understanding and applying empathy in your work

Episode 47

dimanche 24 septembre 2017 • Duration 37:07

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the true meaning of empathy, a concept often misunderstood and overlooked in the workplace. Discover how to authentically incorporate empathy into your work, avoid common misconceptions, and create genuine connections with your customers. Stephen also explores the delicate balance between empathy and subject matter expertise, equipping you with strategies to strengthen your impact. Tune in to unlock the power of empathy for better customer insights, teamwork, and innovation.

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Ep 46 Leadership: Why people quit and what you can do about it

Episode 46

dimanche 27 août 2017 • Duration 46:14

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the unique challenges of leading creative teams and why people often quit bosses, not jobs. Learn what drives creatives to leave, how leaders can retain top talent, and what employees should look for in their leadership. Stephen also shares four essential questions to ask before deciding to switch jobs. Tune in for actionable insights on fostering a positive team environment, boosting retention, and making smart career moves.

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Ep 45 Leadership: Become a better leader with the 10/80/10 ratio

Episode 45

dimanche 20 août 2017 • Duration 17:43

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the art of leading a creative team by finding the ideal balance between giving your team creative freedom and maintaining your own influence as a leader. Discover the 10/80/10 rule—a powerful three-part framework that helps you calibrate your leadership style, allowing your team’s ideas to flourish while guiding them effectively. Tune in to learn how to empower your team, foster innovation, and strike the perfect leadership balance.

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Ep 44 Your career: Luck has nothing to do with success or creativity

Episode 44

dimanche 30 juillet 2017 • Duration 19:51

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates debunks the myth that success is about luck, revealing the real factors that create opportunities and drive achievement. Dive into what people actually mean when they say “lucky,” explore how preparation plays a pivotal role in success, and uncover the habits that set “lucky” individuals apart. Tune in to learn practical steps for creating your own opportunities and achieving lasting success through intentional habits.

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Ep 43 Creativity: Understanding and breaking through creative slumps

Episode 43

dimanche 16 juillet 2017 • Duration 44:47

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the challenge of creative slumps—those frustrating times when ideas seem out of reach, and inspiration feels lost. Discover the different types of creative slumps, why they happen, and proven techniques to help you break free and get your creativity flowing again. Tune in for practical strategies to overcome blocks, reignite your passion, and get back on track with powerful ideas.

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Ep 42 Design: How to design a great mobile app

Episode 42

vendredi 7 juillet 2017 • Duration 46:29

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates uncovers common pitfalls teams face when designing apps and shares invaluable lessons from his extensive experience in creating successful iOS and Android applications. Drawing from projects that have been featured in Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, Stephen highlights key design principles and best practices that can elevate your app’s user experience. Tune in for actionable insights that will help you avoid missteps and craft apps that stand out in today’s competitive market.

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Ep 41 Emotional intelligence: Understanding and embracing insecurity

Episode 41

dimanche 25 juin 2017 • Duration 40:49

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates delves into the complex emotions that shape the creative process, focusing on the impact of insecurity and frustration on your success. Discover the various stages of creative insecurity, how social media can amplify these feelings, and learn effective techniques to regain control over your emotions. Tune in to equip yourself with the tools needed to navigate emotional challenges and enhance your creativity for more impactful work.

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